India’s WiMAX auctions – Google comes sniffing
As reported here and here, Google is looking to participate in the upcoming auctions for providing WiMAX services in India. WiMAX or Wireless microwave access is also known as Broadband Wireless Access or BWA. Google could either go on its own or be a technology partner to an existing Telecom service provider.
India’s WiMAX subscribers are expected to touch about 60 million by 2014. It is expected to grow faster in a country like India – with a low fixed line pentration in a large country. The opportunity is expected to be very valuable, with all major telecom players in the bidding race. The government aims to earn a minimum of $350 million from this auction, which is the reserve price.
Google has had an interest in India’s mobile, broadband and VASP space for some time, with some active lobbying being done by Google with the TRAI over matters of future policy – see here. India has a far greater number of mobile users than internet subscribers. Because of this, search engines like Google as well as any company wanting to grab a share of this large and lucrative pie would want a piece of the WiMAX spectrum.
